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Army Reserve captain from Oklahoma dies in Afghanistan

Capt. Billy Ross Blankenship, 43, was working in Kabul as a contractor for Intelligence Software Solutions Inc. when he died April 18. His cause of death is still under investigation.

FROM STAFF REPORTS •
Published: April 25, 2012

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An Army Reserve captain died while working as a contractor in Afghanistan.

Capt. Billy Ross Blankenship, 43, formerly of Norman, was working in Kabul as a contractor for Intelligence Software Solutions Inc. when he died April 18. His cause of death is still under investigation.

Capt. Billy Ross Blankenship

Blankenship joined the Air Force Reserve as a senior at Bethany High School. He enlisted in active duty with the Army in 1989, during which he served in Desert Storm. After four years of active duty, Blankenship served in the Oklahoma National Guard and became a commissioned officer in 2001. He was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003 and served until 2010.

A database analyst for the U.S. Post Office, Blankenship retained his role in the Army Reserve. He left the Postal Service last fall to undertake contract work in Afghanistan, where he continued to perform his Reserve duties.

Blankenship is survived by his wife, Melissa, and four children, as well as his parents and two siblings.